MOMMA'S NOT HAPPY WITH ME ....

Momma's not happy with me.  Not my Momma, nor my kid's Momma.  Actually she may not be a Momma yet.  I was disking a field just north of town today next to "Shawler Pond".  Pond might be generous.  It's a naturally occurring low spot that has water in it most of the year.  Anyway, I'm going around the field leveling the end rows when I look down and go "WHAT ?" at the same time I hit the clutch and stop.  By the time I get stopped, right under the middle of the tractor is this:

I can hear you going "Yeah ... so?"  Maybe it makes more sense if you see what was leaving the scene quickly

Yep, snapping turtle.  And she was not pleased with me.  She had ventured out of the pond into the field to lay eggs.  I guess it is normal.  So normal I didn't see at least 2 more before it was too late.   It's kind of surprising how far they travel to lay their eggs. Working the fields next to the pond in the Spring it is common to see tracks, but you rarely see the turtles.

I know, I should have grabbed them and made turtle soup.  But I didn't figure they would enjoy riding in the tractor cab with me.

View from the waiting room

It's not the best way to spend the afternoon.  Doc wanted someone to have some tests done,  "Nothing to it..."  Well, except it is done in the hospital as an outpatient, and you have to lay still on your back for 6 hours afterwards.  Oh, and the test won't start until 3 in the afternoon.  And you can't drive for 24 hours so you'll need a ride.

Yes, we'd be glad to take you and wait and bring you home.

No, no tonal inflection implied in my response.  It really isn't a problem if we have time and someone needs us.  But most people don't say "HEY! We've got a free afternoon, let's go set in a hospital waiting room.

Union Hospital has changed a lot the last few years. Hope they don't mind, here is a map of the facility now:

The main entrance is now what used to be 7th Street.  But a lot of patients and services still use the old 8th Avenue entrance. And cardiac rehab uses the Beech Street entrance. The Emergency Entrance is now at 7th Street and 8th Avenue.

It is kind of interesting watching people go by.  You see a large variety of people in various mental and emotional states.  And if you set there long enough you will see someone you know go by.  But the chairs don't set any better than they did 20 years ago ... or 30.  But you can bring your laptop and get wireless internet service. Or your iPod I suppose.

Anyway, gotta go.  Later Y'all

Someone asked me about this.  Yes, Steve Bumpus died, but it was the other Steve. His dad was Dad's cousin.  From the Chicago Sun Times:

Steve E. Bumpus

Bumpus, Steve E. passed away suddenly on Saturday, April 24th. Steve lived his life to the fullest, celebrating all that life had to offer. He graduated in 1982 from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in finance and began his career at the Chicago Board of Trade. In 1986, he joined Greenwich Capital Markets which subsequently merged with the Royal Bank of Scotland. Steve was an Elder and active member of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, serving on several committees. Steve was passionate about teaching 4th/5th grade Sunday School and was a tireless supporter of the church's youth ministry. He was an avid skier and loved the slopes at Alta, UT especially the Glades on powder days trying to keep up with his daughter. He enjoyed catching the "big one" in Key West, FL and made a "mean" blackened grouper sandwich. He was a die-hard Cub's fan and wouldn't answer the phones during an Illini basketball or football game. Steve will be remembered for his infectious laugh and his genuine interest in all people he came across both young and old. He was a compassionate and generous man. Steve left us with many memories and he will be missed by his friends and family. Steve was the beloved husband of Irene (nee Dzido), loving father of Chelsea, loving son of Fred and Sue Bumpus, loving son-in-law of Eugene and Mary Dzido, loving brother and brother-in-law of Sally (Mike) Cavanaugh, Chris, Diane and Grace Dzido, loving uncle of Katie, Kellie and Kristie. Visitation Thursday, April 29, 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Drake and Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western Ave., Chicago. Funeral service Friday, 10:00 a.m. at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut, Chicago, IL 60611. Interment at Rosehill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fourth Presbyterian Church in memory of Steve Bumpus and will benefit the church's children and youth ministries. Funeral info: 773-561-6874

I had a marvelous idea for a blog post last week ...

I had a marvelous idea for a blog post last week ... sure wish I could remember what it was. I think I'll just plug in the phone camera and download some random photos from the last month

Haven't had much wandering time ...

Wondering yes, but wandering no. What have I been doing?  This:

If you look out the back window you'll see a planter behind me and reflected in my glasses a field in front of me.  That's been pretty much it this week until it rained.  So I splurged and got a haircut.  Do I know how to be extravagant or what?

That funny thing on the side of my head is a BlueParrot 250X Bluetooth noise canceling headset.   Some folks think it sounds great, others do not.  From my end it is a great thing.

I need to be catching up on paperwork but my brain got kind of fogged so I decided to exercise a small diversion and make a post here.  I'd go to AgTalk or Facebook, but  I know once I did I'd get distracted and not get back tonight.

Going to have to take time off tomorrow evening for the funeral home.  Don Thompson passed away from an apparent heart attack.  Gonna miss him.

Well, I think I'll get a soda and then decide whether to continue or take the night off.  Later, Y'all

SEG Grant!

 No time for an extensive post.  Just a quick note.  We Got It!  The WU Fire Dept has been notified we are getting an SEG Grant for $24,500 to replace our outdated SCBA air tanks!

More work for me, but it's good work.

Gotta go plant corn

Well, it's begun ...

Yes, it's time for the most dreaded activity of the year.  No, it's not taxes.  I started mowing this evening.

No, I didn't take any photos.

I've got a feeling I'm going to get tired of mowing this year.   Maybe it's because all I've mowed is the yard at Husi's and I'm already tired of it.  We put more hours on the mower last year than 2 or 3 of our field tractors!  Seriously!  I know the mower got more hours than the 966

 and 7120. 

  Maybe more than the 7210

But it beats a bunch of sheep.